Tell Us About Your Small Group or Sunday School

Small groups in churches are touted to have many benefits. Indeed, some of my own research has tested and demonstrated the value of small groups. Some churches value the relational connections that take place. Some believe that content is best disseminated and discussed in small groups. Others view the small group as a great evangelistic arm of the local church. And a number of churches see multiple benefits, but particularly see the benefits of retention and assimilation of those in these groups.

We would love to hear from you about the small group or Sunday school structure in your churches. So we would greatly appreciate your taking the time to let us learn from you via this blog.

Consider some of these questions in your responses:

· What is your primary form of small group? Is it a Sunday school structure or something different?

· Do you have more than one type of small group structure in your church?

· Where do your small groups or Sunday school classes meet?

· How long do they last?

· When do they meet?

· What is the primary purpose of your groups? Relationship building? Community? Evangelism and outreach? Ministry? Teaching and content? What is the format for the group?

· Who is eligible or qualified to lead/teach your small groups?

· How often do your groups meet? Once a week? More or less frequently?

· Are your groups open or closed?

· How would you assess the value or effectiveness of the groups in your church?

· Roughly what percentage of the members or worship attendance is in the groups?

· How do you determine the material that is used in your groups?

· What are some of the challenges present in your groups?

· What would you like to change about your groups?

· What are some great ministry and life change stories from your groups that you can share?

· Does the pastor and other leaders in the church emphasize the value of small groups or Sunday school classes?

Of course, these questions are listed as suggested topics. You may want to address just one or two of them. And there are likely some topics I haven't even considered.

As you enter this discussion, I want you to know how your comments benefit others for the Kingdom. I hear again and again how people get as much or more from the comments in the blog as they do from the blog itself.

So thank you in advance for taking time to comment. For good or bad, you and your church have stories to tell and lessons we can learn.

We are listening.

Tell us about your small groups.